A June 17 Lancet study found that U.K. girls who received the HPV vaccine at ages 12 to 13 had “close to zero” risk of dying from cervical cancer. For the first time, no cervical cancer deaths in the U.K. were recorded among women ages 20 to 24 over a five-year period. Coverage of the study circulated across social media platforms, with many posts celebrating the findings and criticizing people who deny the effectiveness of HPV vaccines, especially parents who choose not to vaccinate their children. Some cast doubt on the study, calling the results fake and claiming without evidence that the HPV vaccine is ineffective and has harmful side effects. Others expressed uncertainty about whether to vaccinate their children, citing evidence supporting HPV vaccination alongside unfounded safety claims circulating online.
Recommendation
False and misleading claims about HPV vaccination may increase vaccine hesitancy, particularly among parents deciding whether to vaccinate their children. Messaging may explain that the recent study, consistent with many other large studies, found a substantial reduction in cervical cancer deaths among vaccinated young women. Communicators may emphasize that HPV vaccination protects against multiple types of cancers and is recommended for adolescents of any gender at ages 9 to 12, although anyone between the ages of 9 and 45 can receive it. Messaging may also explain that, in the 20 years since the HPV vaccine was approved in the U.S., no serious safety concerns have been identified.
Fact-checking sources: HealthyChildren.org, Public Good News
Communication resources: Find a one-pager for caregivers about HPV and the HPV vaccine
